Dump Truck

Abstract

A dump cart is disclosed. The cart allows complete dumping while keeping four wheels on the ground, and the rear wheel set can be rotated to allow the bed of the cart to be completely turned over for emptying. A method of attaching an item holding bed to the cart is also disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to carts for transporting and dumping items and, more particularly, to an improved dumping utility cart designed for cost-effective transporting and dumping items. Background Art

[0002] It is often desirable to transport bulky items from point A to point B by using a cart or wagon that cannot otherwise be easily transported by one or more individuals. In addition, it is desirable to transport and easily dump various types of particulate matter, such as dirt, loose grit and livestock feed, as well as a variety of other items. Such carts can be used as trailers towed behind motor vehicles, towed by people, or self-propelled.

[0003] There are many forms of dollies for carrying and unloading various items. Many of them include a relatively flat bed for accommodating the items in transport and a pivot mechanism for slidably removing the items from the bed to an alternative location.

[0004] Various mechanisms have been employed to transfer bulky cargo from a transport cart to another location. Manual unloading has been used. However, a variety of pivoting mechanisms have been utilized to achieve the desired dumping. The placement of the pivots and the size of the dump carts vary considerably throughout the prior art. Larger carts employ pneumatic cylinders and hydraulics to pivot the bed and allow dumping of the transported items.

[0005] Dump trucks and articulated trailers are known, including those disclosed in: U.S. Pat. No. 3,833,263 to Jackson; U.S. Pat. No. 4,711,499 to Fortin; U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,390 to Campbell; U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,163 to Mandell et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,944 to Keech; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,290,301 to Bockman, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Improvements to these earlier patents include: U.S. Patent No. 6,662,679 to Hobdy et al.; U.S. Patent No. 6,851,756 to Pieschel; U.S. Patent No. 6,962,370 to Simpson; U.S. Patent No. 7,175,205 to Simpson; U.S. Patent No. 7,210,697 to Simpson; U.S. Patent No. 7,390,065 to Pieschel et al.; U.S. Patent No. 7,441,792 to Simpson; U.S. Patent No. 7,818,865 to Pieschel et al.; U.S. Patent No. 7,887,141 to Pieschel et al.; U.S. Patent No. D819,917 to Simpson et al.; U.S. Patent No. D826507 to Wernberg et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0006] The desirable elements of the present invention are neither taught nor disclosed in the prior art. Therefore, the present invention is an advantageous improvement over the recorded prior art. Summary of the invention

[0007] The disclosed invention improves the functionality of a dump truck by allowing the truck to be oriented in a plurality of dumping positions that facilitate removal of items or materials transported by the truck. The dump truck includes a chassis and an item holding bed having an articulation axis intermediate the front and rear wheel sets when in a load-bearing orientation.

[0008] When it is desired to empty the contents of the dumper, the lock is released, which allows the article holding bed and rear wheels to pivot relative to the chassis. The dumper can be rotated to a full-dump position, or alternatively to a dump or over-dump orientation, wherein the rear wheels rotate about the articulation axis from about a 90 degree relationship to the chassis to about a 180 degree rotation, wherein the floor of the article holding bed is parallel and facing the ground. An improved device for connecting an article holding bed to a cart is also disclosed.

[0009] The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the subject matter herein.The following figures and detailed description more particularly exemplify various embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The present disclosure may be more fully understood by considering the following detailed description of various embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] Figure 1 is a top front perspective view depicting a dump truck in a carrying orientation according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Left side view of a dump truck.

[0013] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Top view of a dump truck.

[0014] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Bottom view of the dump truck.

[0015] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 front view of dump truck.

[0016] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 Rear view of dump truck.

[0017] Figure 7 is a top front perspective view depicting a dump truck in a dumping orientation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 Left side view of a dump truck.

[0019] Fig. 9 yes Figure 7 Top view of a dump truck.

[0020] Fig.10 yes Figure 7 Bottom view of the dump truck.

[0021] Fig.11 yes Figure 7 front view of dump truck.

[0022] Fig.12 yes Figure 7 Rear view of dump truck.

[0023] Fig.13 is a top front perspective view depicting a dump truck in an overdump orientation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Fig.14 yes Fig.13 Left side view of a dump truck.

[0025] Fig.15 yes Fig.13 Top view of a dump truck.

[0026] Fig.16 yes Fig.13 Bottom view of the dump truck.

[0027] Fig.17 yes Fig.13 front view of dump truck.

[0028] Fig.18 yes Fig.13 Rear view of dump truck.

[0029] Fig.19 is a top rear perspective view depicting a dump truck in a full dump orientation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Fig. 20 yes Fig.19 Left side view of a dump truck.

[0031] Fig.21 yes Fig.19 Top view of a dump truck.

[0032] Fig. 22 yes Fig.19 Bottom view of the dump truck.

[0033] Fig.23 yes Fig.19 front view of dump truck.

[0034] Fig.24 yes Fig.19 Rear view of dump truck.

[0035] Fig.25 yes Figure 3 Detailed top view of the item keeping the bed at A-A.

[0036] Fig.26 yes Figure 4 The item holds the bed's details in bottom view.

[0037] Fig. 27 yes Fig.25 A cross-sectional view of a detail view of the item holding bed at B-B.

[0038] Fig.28 yes Fig. 27 A top perspective view of the item holding the bed.

[0039] Fig.29 yes Fig.26A cross-sectional view of a detail view of an item holding bed.

[0040] Fig.30 is a top perspective view depicting a lag bolt according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Fig.31 yes Fig.30 Top view of the lag bolt.

[0042] Fig.32 yes Fig.30 Front view of a lag bolt.

[0043] Fig.33 yes Fig.30 Rear view of the lag bolt.

[0044] Fig.34 yes Fig.30 Right side view of the square head bolt.

[0045] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure may be subjected to various modifications and alternative forms, the details thereof shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings will be described in detail. However, it should be understood that the present invention does not limit the present disclosure to the specific embodiments described. On the contrary, the present invention covers all modifications, equivalents and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the subject matter defined by the claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Reference Figures 1 to 6 The dump cart of the present invention is generally indicated in the drawings by reference numeral 100. The dumping utility cart 100 includes an article holding bed 110, a chassis 120, a front wheel set 130, a rear wheel set 140, and a handle 150. Alternatively, the cart 100 may have a single front wheel 130.

[0047] The dump truck 100 of the present invention can easily transport items to a desired location by pivoting the item holding bed 110 relative to the chassis 120, and then remove the items from the dump truck 100. Because the chassis 120 pivots at a point between the front wheel set 130 and the rear wheel set 140, the force required to pivot the item holding bed 110 is greatly reduced when compared to the prior art utility carts.

[0048] The article holding bed 110 preferably has a generally rectangular configuration having a floor 111, a front wall 112, a rear wall 113, and right and left side walls 114, 115 extending between the front and rear walls 112, 113. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the concepts of the present invention may be used with alternative bed configurations. The walls 112, 113, 114, 115 may have one or more holes 117 that may be used to hold slats or bars (not shown) to extend the height of the walls 112, 113, 114, 115, or alternatively, to hold tools used in conjunction with the cart 110.

[0049] The article holding bed 110 has a floor 111 that preferably has a substantially flat upper surface. Depending on the size of the article holding bed 110, the reinforcement beams may be disposed around the outer edges of the article holding bed 110, or may extend through a central region of the article holding bed 110 (see, e.g., Figure 4 ).

[0050] The article holding bed 110 can be made of a variety of materials, including but not limited to steel, aluminum, and molded composite plastics. Smooth friction-reducing surfaces have been found to be particularly suitable for use with the present invention. The friction-reducing surface allows for easier dumping of bulky articles contained within the dump truck 100.

[0051] The chassis 120 preferably includes a pair of side rails 122 and a plurality of brackets 123 extending between the side rails 122, such as Figure 4 and Fig.13 The configuration of the side rails 122 and brackets 123 is selected based on the expected load to be carried by the dump truck 100. The article holding bed 110 is connected to the chassis 120 at an articulation axis 121. The articulation axis 121 is preferably located at the end of each side rail 122. The front wheels 130 rotate about a front wheel rotation axis 131 and the rear wheels 140 rotate about a rear wheel rotation axis 141. When in the load bearing orientation ( Figures 1 to 6 ), the hinge axis 121 is located between the front wheel rotation axis 131 and the rear wheel rotation axis 141.

[0052] The chassis 120 is pivotally connected to the item holding bed 110 to make dumping of bulky items easier. Proper positioning of the pivot relative to the wheel sets 130, 140 and the item holding bed 110 will better enable one to use the dump truck 100. When properly positioned in the dumping orientation, the rear wheels 140 rotate along the hinge axis 121 under the item holding bed 110 in a manner similar to a fulcrum that allows the item holding bed 110 to be in the dumping orientation, such as Figures 7 to 12When in the dumping orientation, both sets of wheels 130, 140 remain in contact with the ground while allowing the floor 110 of the item holding bed 110 to rotate to a substantially vertical position. When in the dumping orientation, the rear wheel rotation axis is between the front wheel rotation axis 131 and the articulation axis 121.

[0053] By operating in this manner, a relatively small amount of upward force can be used to pivot the item holding bed 102. Figures 7 and 8 As shown, the article holding bed lock 160 is unlocked and used to pivot the article holding bed 110 and start the dumping process. During the dumping process of the cart 100, the wheelbase length is reduced due to the pivoting. The article holding bed lock 160 can be integrated into the handle to facilitate dumping the cart 110 by pivoting the article holding bed 110.

[0054] The rear wheel set 140 is rotatably attached to the floor 111 of the item holding bed 110, such as Figure 5 In the preferred embodiment, the rear wheels 106 rotate about the rear axle 126. It has been found that tires with inflatable inner tubes (not shown) are particularly suitable for use as the front wheels 130 and the rear wheels 140. For increased stability and durability, the rear wheels 140 are fixedly attached to the lower floor 111 of the item holding bed 110 by at least one rear wheel bracket 142.

[0055] The front wheel set 130 is operatively attached to the chassis 120, as in Figure 7 , Fig.13 and Fig.19 The front wheel set 130 is rotatably attached to the navigation mechanism 135. The handle 150 is pivotally attached to the navigation mechanism 135. The handle includes a grip 151 and an axis 152.

[0056] The guide mechanism 135 includes a front axle 136, a tow bar 137, and a steering pivot 138. A handle 150 is pivotally and removably attached to one end of the tow bar 137, the other end of which is connected to the front axle 136. The front axle 136 and the two bars 137 are operatively connected to the chassis 120 via the steering pivot 138. The handle 150 may be convertible to allow the dump truck to be pulled by hand or attached to a vehicle having a clevis. In a preferred embodiment, the handle 150 includes a grip 151 and a shaft 152, and the grip 151 may be axially slidable along the shaft 152 to expose a tongue (not shown) without having to remove the grip 151 from the shaft 152.

[0057] The dump truck 100 of the present disclosure allows the article holding bed 110 to be placed in a Figures 13 to 18130. In this orientation, the rear wheels 140 are further rotated and off the ground, while the front wheels 130 remain on the ground. When in the over-dump orientation, the rear wheel rotation axis 141 remains between the front wheel rotation axis 131 and the articulation axis 121, but the articulation axis 121 is between the rear wheel rotation axis 141 and the ground. This over-dump orientation allows the floor 111 of the item holding bed 110 to be easily flipped from a vertical position to remove difficult-to-dump material being transported by the dump truck 100, while still being able to pull the dump truck 100 away on the front wheels 130.

[0058] The dump truck 100 of the present invention also allows the article holding bed 110 to be placed in a Figures 19 to 24 The full dump orientation shown. In this orientation, the rear wheels 140 rotate even further while the front wheels remain on the ground. When in the full dump orientation, the rear wheel rotation axis 141 remains between the front wheel rotation axis 131 and the hinge axis, but the rotation allows the hinge axis 121 to be between the rear wheel rotation axis 141 and the floor 111 of the item holding bed 110. This full dump orientation allows the floor 111 of the item holding bed 110 to be substantially parallel to the ground. In a preferred embodiment, the front wall 112, the rear wall 113, and the right and left side walls 114 and 115 are constructed to have the same height, which allows the upper ends of all walls 112 to 115 to contact the ground while the front wheels 130 also contact the ground. This full dump orientation allows the user to bang the floor 111 of the item holding bed 110 to remove any difficult to remove items or materials being dumped from the dump truck 100.

[0059] exist Figures 1 to 24 The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in the specification and the description. Although specific terms are used, these terms are used in a general or descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as further defined by the appended claims, alternative changes in the form and proportion of the various components and equivalents are considered to be advantageous.

[0060] A further disclosure of the present invention includes an improved means for attaching the article holding bed 110 to the cart 110. The article holding bed 110 of the dump truck 100 is typically constructed of molded composite plastic because the material provides a strong, lightweight structure with a smooth drag reducing surface that is not susceptible to rust when used in outdoor environments. The article holding bed 110 is typically attached to the chassis, axle or frame by bolts. In order to prevent interference with the removal of material when using an implement (e.g., a shovel, hoe, etc.), carriage bolts are typically used because they have a relatively low profile. However, even with a low profile and curved head, the carriage bolts still allow the implement to grab when removing articles or materials from the article holding bed. In addition, the carriage bolts have a tendency to rotate when their respective nuts are tightened.

[0061] Reference Figure 30 to Figure 34 , discloses a lag bolt 200 for attaching an item holding bed 110 to a cart 100. The lag bolt 200 has a head 210 and a shank 230. The head 210 of the lag bolt 200 also includes a head surface 215, a head width 217, a head length, a head depth 218, and a head support surface 220. The shank 230 has lengths 231 and 232. The shank 230 can have any standard configuration of threads for use with a standard nut (not shown). The preferred embodiment uses a nylon insert lock nut (Nylock: nylon insert lock nut).

[0062] Figure 25 to Figure 29

[0046] Another aspect of an improved means of attaching an item holding cot 110 to a cart 100 is disclosed. Fig.25 A detailed top (interior) view of the floor 111 of the item holding bed 110 is shown. Two bolt receivers 170 of the present invention are shown. Each bolt receiver 170 has a receiver head width 176, a receiver head length 177, and a receiver head depth 178. Each receiver also includes a receiver shaft 172 having a receiver shaft diameter 173, a receiver shaft depth 174, a receiver bearing surface 1721, and at least one protrusion 175.

[0063] A preferred embodiment of the lag bolt 200 and bolt receiver 170 is one where the bolt head width 216 and bolt head length 217 are equal (i.e., lag bolt 210) and the receiver head width 176 and receiver head length 177 are equal (i.e., square head receiver head). This arrangement allows the lag bolt 200 to fit into the bolt receiver 170 regardless of orientation, which facilitates attaching the item holding bed 110 to the cart 100. However, it is contemplated that the lag bolt 200 and bolt receiver 170 may have a rectangular shape to provide additional strength in a particular orientation.

[0064] The bolt receiver 170 is sized to securely receive the lag bolt 200. Thus, the bolt receiver head width 176, length 177, and depth 178 are just large enough to receive the lag bolt portion width 216, length 217, and depth 218. In addition, the bolt receiver shaft diameter 173 is just large enough to receive the lag bolt shank diameter 231. The lag bolt shank length 232 is long enough than the receiver shaft depth 174 to allow a nut (not shown) to be threaded onto and locked onto the lag bolt 200. This arrangement allows the surface of the article holding bed to be smooth and prevents material or tools from getting caught on the means used to attach the article holding bed 110 to the cart 100.

[0065] To facilitate attachment of the article holding bed 110 to the cart 100, the present invention also includes one or more nubs 175 along the receiver shaft length 174. When the article holding bed 100 is turned upside down to access the nut (not shown), such as when the cart 100 is assembled, the nubs 175 are sized to provide friction to prevent the lag bolts 200 from sliding off the receiver shaft 172. Preferably, there are three nubs 175 at the bottom end of the receiver shaft 172.

[0066] Various embodiments of systems, devices, and methods are described herein. These embodiments are given by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. In addition, it should be understood that the various features of the described embodiments can be combined in various ways to produce numerous additional embodiments. In addition, although various materials, sizes, shapes, configurations, positions, etc. for the disclosed embodiments have been described, other materials, sizes, shapes, configurations, positions, etc. other than those disclosed may be used without exceeding the scope of the claimed invention.

[0067] Those of ordinary skill in the relevant art will recognize that the subject matter herein may include fewer features than shown in any single embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features of the subject matter herein may be combined. Therefore, these embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, these different embodiments may include combinations of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments. In addition, elements described with respect to one embodiment may be implemented in other embodiments, even when not described in such an embodiment, unless otherwise stated.

[0068] Although a dependent claim may be cited in a claim in a specific combination with one or more other claims, other embodiments may also include a combination of the dependent claim with the subject matter of each other dependent claim, or a combination of one or more features with other dependent claims or independent claims. Unless it is stated that this specific combination is not involved, such a combination is proposed herein.

[0069] Any incorporation by reference of the above-mentioned documents is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the express disclosure herein. Any incorporation by reference of the above-mentioned documents is further limited such that claims included in these documents are not incorporated herein by reference. Any incorporation by reference of the above-mentioned documents is still further limited such that any limitations provided in these documents are not incorporated herein by reference unless expressly included herein.

[0070] For purposes of claim interpretation, it is expressly intended that the provisions of 35 USC §112(f) not be invoked unless the specific terms "means for" or "step for" are recited in a claim.

Claims

1. A dump truck, comprising: Chassis; an article holding bed pivotably coupled to the chassis along a hinge axis, the article holding bed including a bed board; A front wheel assembly having a front wheel rotation axis; a rear wheel set operatively coupled to the article holding bed, the rear wheel set having a rear wheel rotation axis; Wherein, the articulation axis can be shifted between: a load-bearing orientation, wherein the articulation axis is between the front wheel rotation axis and the rear wheel rotation axis, and between the bed plate and the rear wheel rotation axis; and A full dump orientation wherein the rear wheel rotation axis is between the front wheel rotation axis and the articulation axis, and the articulation axis is between the rear wheel rotation axis and the bed, and the bed is parallel to and facing the ground.

2. The dump truck according to claim 1, wherein: The articulation axis can also be transferred into a dumping orientation, wherein the rear wheel rotation axis is between the front wheel rotation axis and the articulation axis.

3. The dump truck according to claim 2, wherein: When the hinge axis is in the dump orientation, the bed deck is within 15 degrees of vertical.

4. The dump truck according to claim 1, wherein: The dump truck is used on the ground and the articulation axis can also be transferred to an over-dumping orientation, wherein the rear wheel rotation axis is between the front wheel rotation axis and the articulation axis, and the articulation axis is between the rear wheel rotation axis and the ground, and the bed is not parallel to the ground.

5. The dump truck according to claim 2, wherein: The dump truck is used on the ground and when the articulation axis is in the dumping orientation, the front wheels and the rear wheels are in contact with the ground.

6. The dump truck according to claim 4, wherein: When the articulation axis is in the overdump orientation, the front wheels are in contact with the ground and the rear wheels are not in contact with the ground.

7. The dump truck according to claim 1, wherein: The dump truck is used on the ground and when the articulation axis is in the full dumping orientation, the front wheels are in contact with the ground and the rear wheels are not in contact with the ground.

8. A dump truck, comprising: Chassis; an article holding bed pivotably coupled to the chassis along a hinge axis; a front wheel having a front wheel axis of rotation and operatively coupled to the chassis; a rear wheel assembly having a rear wheel rotation axis and operatively coupled to the article holding bed; Wherein, the articulation axis can be shifted between: a load-bearing orientation wherein the articulation axis is between the front wheel rotation axis and the rear wheel rotation axis and between the bed plate and the rear wheel rotation axis, and both the front wheel and the rear wheel sets are in contact with the ground; and An over-dump orientation wherein the rear wheel rotation axis is between the front wheel rotation axis and the articulation axis, and the articulation axis is between the rear wheel rotation axis and the ground, and the bed is not parallel to the ground.

9. The dump truck according to claim 8, wherein: When the articulation axis is in the overdump orientation, the front wheels are in contact with the ground and the rear wheels are not in contact with the ground.

10. The dump truck according to claim 8, wherein: The item holding bed has a bed board, and the articulation axis is also transferable to a full dump orientation, wherein the rear wheel rotation axis is between the front wheel rotation axis and the articulation axis, and the articulation axis is between the rear wheel rotation axis and the bed board, and the bed board is parallel to the ground and faces the ground.

11. The dump truck according to claim 8, wherein: The articulation axis can also be transferred into a dumping orientation, wherein the rear wheel rotation axis is between the front wheel rotation axis and the articulation axis.

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